Sparks nets try double as Reading blast Beddau

READING entertained Welsh Division 1 side Beddau at Holme Park last Saturday in a practise match of four 30 minute sessions.

The home side won three of the sessions and finally ran-out winners 49-29.

"It was a good work-out for both sides," said club president Ted Goodhew.

Skipper Graham Sparks grabbed two tries and his impressive fellow back-row men Warren Milne and Tom Johnson scored five between them.

Reading won the first and second session 17-12 and 10-0 respectively but lost the third 10-0 before taking the final session 22-7.

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LONDON IRISH were beaten 21-12 by eventual winners the British Army in the semi-finals of the Middlesex Sevens at Twickenham on Saturday.

Irish were always facing an uphill battle after conceding converted tries from Howard Graham and Isoa Damu Damu in the opening five minutes.

But Scott Staniforth crossed the line just before half-time, with Mark Mapletoft converting, to make it 14-7 at the break.

Irish battled hard to keep a rampant Army side at bay in the second half but finally conceded a third try by Jope Ladua.

Phil Murphy immediately broke down the left to land Irish's second score, with Phil Murphy's conversion bouncing back off the upright.

And although Irish pushed forward in numbers, it was the Army who went through to the final where they eventually beat Gloucester 43-24.

Earlier, Irish beat Northampton 19-12 in the quarter-finals thanks to tries from Dominic Shabbo (2) and Staniforth, and a young Harlequins side 17-0 in the first round with Tony Roques and Staniforth (2) crossing the line.

Irish managing director Conor O'Shea said: "It'll be a tough test but the guys are in really good shape. It's never anything more than a test when you play Munster at Thomond Park and it'll be a bit of an education for some of the guys."

Munster include All Black Christian Cullen in their ranks and also welcome back flanker Denis Leamy and scrum half Mike Prendegast from long-term injuries plus newcomers Paul Burke and Mike Storey.